Last month, Governor JB Pritzker addressed the Illinois General Assembly for his annual State of the State, marking the beginning of the budget negotiation process between legislators, government agencies, and the Governor’s Office.
As your State Representative, I am carefully reviewing the Governor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget. Over the past several years, our state has made real progress—paying down bills, strengthening our credit rating, and restoring confidence in our finances—and it’s critical that we protect that progress.
I look forward to working collaboratively with the Governor and my colleagues in the General Assembly to carefully review this proposal and ensure we pass a budget that keeps Illinois moving in the right direction. We have a responsibility to be thoughtful stewards of taxpayer dollars while addressing rising costs and continuing to invest in the priorities that matter most to Illinois families.
See below for some of the major policy proposals outlined in the Governor’s State of the State.
Protecting Your Pocketbook and Curbing Junk Fees
A significant pillar of the Governor’s “Affordability Agenda” is a crackdown on hidden costs. Under this proposal, restaurants, hotels, and ticket vendors would be required to disclose all mandatory fees, such as service charges, upfront rather than at the final stage of checkout.
Additionally, the Governor has proposed a Social Media Digital Platform Fee on major tech companies to generate $200 million for our schools. Importantly, these companies are legally prohibited from passing this fee onto you.
Investing in Our Students’ Focus and Future
Improving students’ academic performance and addressing their mental health remains an issue near and dear to my heart. The Governor is proposing eliminating classroom distractions by requiring school districts to ban personal cell phones from the first morning bell until final dismissal, and would empower local districts to work with parents and teachers to create secure storage solutions that fit their community’s needs.
Addressing the Housing Crisis
The Governor announced a plan to legalizeAccessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), such as “granny flats” or “coach houses,” statewide. Under the proposed Accessory Dwelling Unit Permissibility Act, there would be a statewide standard that allows homeowners to generate supplemental rental income or provide private living space for aging parents and adult children. This approach increases our housing supply while preserving the character of our neighborhoods.
Securing a Clean and Reliable Energy Future
Through a new Executive Order, Illinois is beginning the process of evaluating sites for advanced nuclear energy. This “community-first” approach ensures that any new development is voluntary and focused on regions with existing infrastructure, like former power plant sites. By combining nuclear power with our growing renewable sector, we can lower long-term energy costs and create thousands of high-paying jobs for the next generation of Illinois workers.
Like the Governor, my commitment to Illinois is rooted in a deep love for this state. It’s why I chose public service. As your Representative, I’m fighting for a budget that respects your wallet while investing in our future. I look forward to keeping you updated in the coming weeks as budget negotiations get underway in Springfield.
Primary Election: March 17th
The Illinois General Primary is on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. On Election Day, polls will be open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm. To ensure you are ready, visit the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners website to verify your registration, view a sample ballot, or look up your specific precinct polling place.
Important Registration & Mail-In Deadlines:
- Monday, March 2, 2026: Early Voting and “Grace Period” registration begins in all 50 wards.
- Thursday, March 12, 2026: Last day to apply for a Vote By Mail ballot.
- Tuesday, March 17, 2026: Election Day! All mail-in ballots must be postmarked by this date to be counted.
Early Voting Information:
Early Voting runs from Monday, March 2, 2026, through Monday, March 16, 2026. If you missed the online registration deadline, you can still register and vote in person during this time at any early voting site.
12th District Early Voting Sites Include:
- Ward 2: Near North Library (310 W Division St.)
- Ward 43: Lincoln Park Library (1150 W Fullerton Ave.)
- Ward 44: Advocate IL Masonic MD Center (814 W Nelson St.)
Standard Early Voting Hours:
- Monday through Friday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Women’s History Month
Happy Women’s History Month! This March, let’s not only celebrate the achievements of women, but also recommit to the ongoing fight for gender equality. We recognize that there is still work to be done to break down barriers and create a world where all women are empowered.
Discover some of the ways you can celebrate and honor Women’s History Month in Chicago:
- Explore the city with Choose Chicago’s guide, How to Celebrate Women’s History Month in Chicago, where you can find events that honor women across industries all month long.
- Expand your understanding of how women impact the world (and vice versa) through one of the many podcasts that explore various topics around women in history and modern society. Check out Women for Women International for a comprehensive list.
- Time Magazine published their 100 Women of the Year project, where they spotlight influential women who are often overshadowed. To learn more about the project and check out the full list, click here.
2nd Ward Shred Event
The 2nd Ward Spring Shred Event will take place on Sunday, March 8, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at the My Parking Gold Coast Lot (1258 N State Pkwy). Please bring your documents, old electronics, and pharmaceuticals to this very popular shred event to ensure they are properly discarded.
In the Community
Loyola Internship Fair
While I’ve been in Springfield, my team in the 12th District has been attending a number of great community events. Recently, they participated in Loyola University Chicago’s Internship Fair. Our spring intern, Rachael, shared her experience with fellow undergraduate students and my Director of Community Engagement, Olivia, provided details regarding our summer internship program. Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to info@repcroke.com by April 1, 2026. Learn more here.
Government Updates
Chicago Board of Elections
The Chicago Board of Elections is also seeking poll workers for the Primary on Tuesday, March 17th, 2026. To apply, you must meet the following requirements: a US citizen, a registered voter in Cook County (if 18 or older), and able to speak, read and write English. To learn more and apply, please visit the Board of Elections website.
Illinois State Treasurer
The Illinois Treasurer’s office is currently safeguarding over $5 billion in unclaimed funds. These assets are held indefinitely until they are claimed by the original owners or their heirs. Visit icash.illinoistreasurer.gov today to see if you have property waiting for you. Claims are always processed free of charge with proper identification.
Illinois Secretary of State
As of February 1st, travelers without REAL ID will face TSA’s $45 penalty just to pass through the airport and a $90 penalty if their trip lasts more than 10 days. To help you avoid the fee, the Illinois Secretary of State is making it easier than ever to get your REAL ID. To learn more, click here.
Grant Opportunities
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
DCEO has a variety of grants available for small businesses:
The Clean Energy Contract Incubator Grant helps equity-eligible small businesses, often contractors with backgrounds in construction, electrical work, roofing, HVAC, and other trades, gain the tools and support they need to enter and succeed in Illinois’ clean energy economy.
- Participants receive:
- Technical assistance to prepare for clean energy projects.
- Business support including accounting systems, bonding, and insurance guidance.
- One-on-one mentorship to become “project ready.”
- Connections to larger contractors and clean energy opportunities statewide.
The program’s goal is to reduce barriers so that small, disadvantaged, and underrepresented businesses can compete, grow, and thrive in the clean energy sector. The deadline to apply is February 16th by 5 PM. For questions or additional information, email Noah Bond (noah.bond@illinois.gov) or click here.
The Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) located throughout the state provide information, confidential business guidance, training, and other resources to start-up and existing small businesses. In addition, the Illinois SBDCs help clients with securing needed business capital, marketing, exporting, commercialization of new ideas, development of innovative products and services. Client Projects range from early-stage, pre-revenue concepts to established business operations.
The deadline is rolling. For questions or additional information, email Ericka A. White
(Ericka.White@illinois.gov) or click here.
Upcoming Events and Community Meetings
19th Police District Council Meeting
The 19th Police District Council will host their next meeting on Wednesday, March 18th at 6:30 PM at Sulzer Library (4455 N Lincoln Avenue). For more information, click here.
18th Police District Council Meeting
The 18th Police District Council hosts their monthly public meeting on the 4th Tuesday of every month. For more information and updates, click here.
Lakeview East Annual Meeting
The Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting is Tuesday, March 11th (time and location TBD). This is an opportunity to come together with business owners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to celebrate the successes of the past year and discuss plans for the future.
St. Patrick’s Day
The annual Chicago River dyeing is easily one of the world’s most iconic St. Patrick’s Day traditions. On Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 10:00 AM, watch as a fleet of boats transforms the water into a brilliant, eco-friendly emerald from State Street to Columbus Drive. Remember to arrive early and for a unique bird’s-eye perspective, catch an elevated Brown Line train through the Loop and watch the magic unfold from above.
Food Sustainability Leadership Training at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum invites community members to sprout change through its C3 Food Sustainability Leadership Training on Tuesday, March 17th from 6:00-7:00 PM (2430 N Cannon Drive, Chicago). This unique program focuses on the sustainability of the local food system, examining critical issues such as food access, sustainable agriculture, and reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with food production. To learn more, click here.
Savor Lincoln Park
Savor Lincoln Park invites you to Chicago’s premier indoor neighborhood food festival on March 18th from 6:00-9:00pm at the Theater on the Lake (2410 N. Dusable Lake Shore). This event contains over 25 of the neighborhood’s top restaurants under one roof for an unforgettable evening of food and drink. This is a 21+ event. Get tickets here.
Resources
SNAP and Food Pantries
Food assistance programs are facing significant federal hurdles. As of February 1, 2026, new federal work requirements went into effect for many Illinoisans. My office is fighting to ensure no one in our district goes hungry during this transition. Please click here for the most recent official state updates regarding SNAP eligibility.
We also want to share resources for those seeking services or looking for ways to help their neighbors.
- Nourishing Hope is one of Chicago’s largest and most established hunger-relief organizations. Beyond traditional food distribution, they offer grocery pickup, home delivery for seniors, and trauma-informed therapy all free of charge. The closest location to District 12 to donate or receive services is at 3945 N Sheridan Rd. To learn more, click here.
- The Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) is the central hub for hunger relief across Cook County, acting as a resource that addresses both immediate food needs and long-term stability. The GCFD supplies a vast network of over 800 partner organizations (including pantries and soup kitchens) with millions of meals annually. Use their find food map to view hours, locations, and information for all of our Cook County and Chicago food pantries, meal programs and distribution partners.
Know Your Rights
Understanding your rights is vital for all individuals in the United States. The information above provides helpful guidance for encounters with ICE. For further support and resources, visit the National Immigrant Justice Center’s Legal Deportation Assistance website or Organized Communities Against Deportations’ Resource Guide.
Crisis Assistance Response & Engagement Program (CARE)
Operating in areas like Lakeview and North Lincoln Park, the CARE team provides specialized 911 responses for mental health crises. Available weekdays from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM, these behavioral health professionals offer de-escalation, assessments, referrals, and transport. To ensure ongoing support, the team conducts follow-up checks at 1, 7, and 30 days. To learn more, click here.
PAWS Shoutout
We have a PAWS shoutout for March: Meet Shara!
Shara is your perfect work-from-home buddy: she will listen to your conference calls, watch TV, or, if you let her, snuggle in your lap for a nap. Outdoors, Shara prefers short, quiet walks in calm neighborhoods where she can enjoy a few sniffs along the way. Having been through some difficult times, she is ready for a family who can introduce her to the softer side of life.
Shara is available for adoption at PAWS Chicago’s Pippen Fasseas Adoption Center, located at 1997 N. Clybourn Avenue. Visit pawschicago.org and make your adoption appointment today.
Wishing you a safe and healthy March. As always, please reach out to my office with any questions or concerns. We are always here as a resource!
